Fluid sampling device



Oct. 6, 1953 E. R. HARRINGTON 2,654,251

' FLUID SAMPLING DEVICE Filed Oct. 9, 1950 .2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [N V EN TOR. EDWARD R. HARR/NG TON ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 6, 1953 HARRINGTON 2,654,251

' FLUID SAMPLING DEVICE Filed Oct. 9, I950 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. E DWARD R HARP/N6 TON BY VMM W AT TOPNEVS.

' in the fluid products from hour to hour.

" sampled.

Patented Oct. 6, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID SAMPLING DEVICE Edward R. Harrington, Long Beach, Calif.

Application October 9, 1950, Serial No. 189,223

16 Claims. (Cl. 73-4254) 1 My invention relates to the field of samplin instruments, and more particularly to a device that is adapted to remove a true sample of fluid from a storage tank without the necessity of transferring the sample so obtained to a suitable container for shipment to a laboratory or other destination.

or other producers of liquid products are rarely able to make their products of such complete uniformity that small variations are not detectible The large receiving tanks into which these products are pumped may, therefore, show differences in temperature and unit weight of their contents according to the level from'which the test sample is taken. Water in field tanks, for instance, often settles fairly rapidly and lower oil layers often contain more water than those on the top.

As is well known, if a liquid'stands for any length of time in a storage tank, then the warmth of the day causes the warm liquid material to collect in layers near the top of the storage tank and the coolness at night causes the cool liquid f to collect in layers near the bottom of the tank.

The quality of the fluid material in a tank is normally quite unaffected, but from the measurement standpoint no liquid can be considereduniform unless all of the liquid in the tank is of the same temperature and unit weight throughout. Thus, a single sample cannot be drawn at random from any level in the tank with the certainty that it truly represents the average of fluid contained therein.

cost of such an operation is excessive in comparison with the results obtained. Instead, a

' fair average sample is obtained without circulation of the contents of the tank bysecuri'rig a number of samples, each from .diflierent places in the tank, on the premise that if sumcient samples are taken from the tank no portion of the fluid contained therein can escape being sired to secure fluid samples'irom several pare ticular levels for checking purposes. The securing of fluid samples whether for an average or at a specific level, must be done in such a manner that there is a minimum of turbulence-as the liquid enters the sampling device. In the event turbulence is not held to a minimum there can be no assurance that the fluid sample obtained was from the desired level and not perhaps six inches or a foot above or below the location of the sampler.

Although numerous sampling devices have been developed and marketed in the past, the majority of these samplers include a container which is lowered into a tank to a predetermined level whereupon a cork or stopper is removed therefrom by means of a cord attached thereto. When fluid then enters the container portion of the sampler, it normally causes considerable turbulence in the tank as the air situated in the container tends to escape at the same time fluid is'entering. As a result, there is no assurance that the sample thus obtained is a true fluid sample of the desired fluid level in the storage tank, but due to the turbulence, may have been taken from either above or below the sampling device.

In addition to the above outlined disadvantage I of the sampling devices now on the market, the fluid situated in the sampler must be transferred from-the sampler to a container for shipment to the laboratory. In the case of a low boiling point fluid such as some of the gasolines stored in refinery tankfarms, a. percentage of the lighter con- Y sentative of the fluid from which the sample was taken.

The purpose in devising my present invention is to provide a sampling device in which a sample of fluid may be taken in a container that can be shipped directly to the laboratory, and one in which the fluid sample may enter the container with a minimum of turbulence.

A major object of my invention is to provide a sampling device that may be lowered into a tank in a non-sampling condition to. the desired level,

and then by a quick jerk on the single cord or cable supporting the device, be placed in a sample taking condition.

Another object of my invention is to supply a device in which the fluid sample is taken .in the container which it. will beshipped to the labo- 3 ratory, and with a minimum of turbulence during this process.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device in which the sample receiving bottle cannot slip or change its position during the sample taking operation.

Yet another obj ect of my invention is to provide a sampling device that has an extremely simple mechanical structure; is easy to operate; may be fabricated from standard commercially available material; does not require elaborate plant facilities for its manufacture; and may be retailed at a sufliciently low price as to encourage its widespread use for sampling fluid in the petroleum, chemical and marine industries, and such other fields in which it may be found desirable.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof, and

from the drawing illustrating that form in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of my sampling device in a non-sampling position;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device in a position where the sample bottle may be removed or inserted therein;

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the device taken on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the device taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view of the sample flow controlling portion of the device taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical cross section of the stopper actuating mechanism in the closed position taken on the line 6--6 of Figure 1; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view of the stopper actuating mechanism in the open position taken on. the line of Figure 2.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 for the general arrangement of my invention it will be seen that a frame F is provided that pivotally supports a cradle C in which a samle receiving bottle B may be removably positioned. The bottle B has a liquid flow controlling member M positioned in the neck thereof which is engaged by a vertically movable stopper S. The stopper S may be actuated by a cord A which is used in supporting the assembly in a fluid sample taking position.

The frame F, as may best be seen in Figures 1. 3 and 4, includes anannular ring In from which two oppositely disposed members H and H extend upwardly to terminate in two angularly disposed legs l2 and I2 respectively. The upper ends of the legs [2 and I2 are brazed or otherwise affixed to the exterior surface of a cylindrical guide [3 that is formed with a vertically extending bore |4. Two downwardly and outwardly extend ing arms I5 and I5 are supported by the member |3 between legs II and II for reasons that will hereinafter be explained. The arms I5 and |5' have two downwardly and inwardly extending extensions l6 and |6 respectively formed on the ends thereof.

The cradle C includes an upper ring I? and a lower ring l8. A U-shaped member l9 that has two vertically positioned legs and 20' engages and supports the rings l1 and H3 in the desired position. A web 2| in the member l8 extends between the two legs 20 and 20 below ring [8. A second U-shaped member 22 has a web 23 that is positioned in contact with web 2| normal thereto. The member 22 has two vertical legs 24 and 24' that are affixed to ring l8 by conventional means. Two upwardly bowed springs 25 and 25' are disposed normal to one another and supported on webs 2| and 23 by a screw 26 that extends downwardly therethrough. A weight 21 in the form of an annular plate of lead or similar heavy material is formed with a bore therein that engages the lower end of screw 26. A nut 28 engages the lower end of screw 26, and serves to hold weight 21 in position thereon.

Two oppositely disposed screws 29 and 29' are mounted on the frame F, and serve to pivotally support the cradle C by engaging two blocks 30 and 30 provided on legs 20 and 20' respectively.

As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the bottle B is of a conventional shape and is removably supported in the cradle C by a clamp 3|. The clamp 3| includes two oppositely disposed legs 32 and 32' that are pivotally supported from the members H and II by two rivets or screws 33 and 33'. The legs 32 and 32 terminate on their outer ends in angularly disposed; inwardly extending extensions 34 and 34' that support a member 35 of U-shaped cross section between the outer ends thereof. The U-shaped member 35 is of such size that it is adapted to removably engage the member M on bottle B when the bottle is positioned in the cradle C and moved downwardly to compress springs 25 and 25. When the clamp 3| is in an upright position with the U-shaped member 35 engaging the bottle B, the bottle is held in a rigid position in the cradle C.

When it is desired to remove the bottle B from the cradle C, the clamp 3| and cradle C are pivoted to positions as shown in Figure 2 whereby the bottle may be moved upwardly without encountering the upper part of frame F. An L- shaped member 31 is affixed to the lower part of leg I I, as may best be seen in Figures 1 and 2, and prevents the cradle C from being pivoted beyond an upright position.

The fluid flow controlling member M, best seen in Figure 5, is formed from a tubular member 40 that has internal threads 400; formed on the lower end thereof, and external threads 40b on the upper end of the member. A cylindrical plug 4| has external threads 4|c formed on the upper end thereof which engage threads 40a to hold the plug in position on the lower end of member 40. Plug 4| has a tapered bore 42 extending longitudinally therethrough, and it will be apparent that the dimensions of this bore determines the rapidity with which fluid may flow into sample bottle B. In using my device, as will be described later in greater detail, I prefer to provide several plugs 4|, each having a bore 42 of different dimensions. By selecting the proper plug 4| relative to the viscosity of the fluid to be sampled, the rate of flow of fluid into the bottle B may be so regulated as to minimize turbulence during the sampling operation.

A collar 43 is provided which has a longitudinally extending bore 44 formed therein, with the lower portion of the bore being formed with threads 44a. The threads 44a. engage threads 4017 to hold collar 43 and tubular member 4| together as an integral unit.

An annular plate 46 extends outwardly from collar 43, and supports a vertically and downber 4| is of slightly smaller external diameter than the lower portion of the member, and forms a circumferentially extending body shoultier :50 at the juncture therewith. The body shoulder 50 prevents gasket 48 from accidentally being moved downwardly onto member 4|.

The gasket 48 iormsa fluid-tight seal with the bottle B by removably engaging the upper portion of the neck 36 as may best be seen in Figure 5. Although the bottle B is shown with threads 52 formed on the exterior of the neck 36 as is common in conventional bottles, these threads are not used in effecting a seal with the gasket .48. The upper portion of collar 43- develops into a tubular member 53 that forms a circumferentially extending body shoulder at the juncture with the collar body. As seen in Figure 5, the tubular member 53 is slidably engaged by the stopper S.

The tubular member 4| has an opening 54 formed therein below body shoulder 50. A vent tube 55 of relatively small internal diameter extends upwardly from opening 50 to just below the upper edge of member 53. The upper end of vent tube 55 is internally tapped. An orifice plug 56 has a longitudinally extending bore 51 formed therein, and a lower threaded portion 58 that permits it to removably engage and be positioned on the upper portion of vent tube 55. Several plugs 56 may be provided, each having a bore 51 of a different diameter to control the rapidity with which air may be discharged from bottle B during a sampling operation. In Figures 1 and 5 it will be seen that when the bottle B is held in cradle C by clamp 3| that the U-shaped member 35 engages the collar 4 The stopper S includes a cap 50 that has an enlarged lower portion 6|. An internally threaded bore 62 is formed in the upper portion of the cap 60 and engages the lower end of a rod 63. The upper end of rod 63 is formed with an eye 64 to which the string or cable A is aflixed. The string or cable A is used in lowering my device into the tank that is being sampled, as well as actuating the device when positioned at the desired level.

A circumferentially extending recess 66 is formed in the interior of cap portion BI, and holds an O ring 61 that is fabricated from a suitable resilient material such as rubber or one of the synthetic plastic materials. The ring 61 is of such dimensions that it slidably engages the tubular member 53 and effects a fluid-tight seal therewith when the stopper S is in the position shown in Figure 5.

A bore I0 is formed in guide |3 that is normal to bore l4 and in communication therewith. A ball 72 is positioned in bore 10 and urged inwardly at all times by a helical spring I I, The outer end of spring rests against the inner end of a set screw 13 that is threaded into the outer portion of bore 10. The rod 63 is formed with a horizontally disposed groove 14 which is so situated that it is engaged by the ball I2 when the stopper S is sealing the bottle B. The ball 12 is at all times urged into contact with the rod 63 by spring II, and the spring H has sufficient force when compressed to hold ball 12 in the groove '14 to prevent upward movement of the rod 63. However, upon the sampling device being lowered to the desired depth in a tank, a quick jerk on the cor-d or cable A is suflicient to disengage the ball 12 from the groove 14 to 6 until the contents of the bottle rise to a position where the fluid level is obstructing the vent tube opening 54.

The operation and use of my invention is extremely simple. The bottle B in which the sample is to be obtained is positioned in the cradle C by tilting it as shown in Figure 2. The bottle B is then pressed downwardly to compress springs 25 and 25' and the clamp 3| is pivoted upwardly to the position shown in Figure 1 where U-shaped member 35 engages the flow control member M.

The stopper S is then moved downwardly to the position shown in Figure 5 wherethe -O-ring 61 slidably engages tubular member 53, and forms a fluid-tight seal therewith. The flow control member M, previous to the last mentioned operation, has been positioned in the neck 5| of bottle B, with the resilient gasket 48 cffecting a fluid-tight seal therewith, as seen in Figure 5. Thus, with the stopper S and flow control member M in position as shown in Figure 5, fluid cannot enter the bottle B.

The assembly is now lowered into the tank from which a fluid sample is to be taken by means of the cord or cable A. When the desired depth is reached the cord or cable A is given a quick jerk, and the spring-loaded ball 12 that was engaging groove I4 is displaced therefrom and permits the stopper S to move upwardly to the position shown in Figure 2. Fluid now flows downwardly through the member M into the confines of the bottle B, with the air previously in. the bottle being discharged through vent tube 55. The flow of fluid into bottle B through member M is with a minimum of turbulence due to the air in the bottle being displaced through vent tube 55. Thus, the fluid flowing into the bottle is a true sample of the fluid at the level at which the upper edge of the member M is positioned, and not from above or below this level which is common with a number of present day samplers.

After the sampling operation is completed the device is raised to the surface, and a cork placed in bottle B. The fluid level of the sample in bottle B never rises above the vent opening 54, for when this opening is obstructed, air cannot escape from the bottle. The bottle B is removed from the cradle C by tilting it and clamp 3| to the positions shown in Figure 2.

In the gauging of present day tanks, particularly those in which the top portion moves upwardly and downwardly according to the volume of fluid in the tank, the sampling device mustbe lowered downwardly through a vertical tubular member (not shown) that is stationary. The arms l5 and I5, as well as the ring Hand l8 protect the bottle B during the time it is being raised and lowered in such a tubular member. When samples are taken from such a tubular member it will be apparent that the sampling device cannot be rotated'as iscommon with several forms of samplers now in use. In my device it is immaterial whether the sample istaken in an old style tank or in a modern tank where the top moves up or down in accordance withthe permit the stopper S to move upwardly until volume of fluid in the tank, as the only movement in my device during the sampling operation is the longitudinal movement of stopper S.

It will be apparent that a number of various materials may be used in fabricating my device, but of course their selection will be dependent upon the physical characteristics of the fluidbeing sampled. In the petroleum industry I-have 'found that brass is most suitable for the fabrication of my invention, but in the chemical industry where corrosive fluids areencountered, a

, chemically resistant metal such as stainless steel ,or a suitable alloy must be used.

. of said bottle; a rod that is supported for iongitudinal movement on said frame and supports said stopper on the lower end thereof; means to .maintain said stopper and rod in a position whereby said bottle is sealed until said rod is subjected to a sudden impulse; a tubular member positioned in the neck of said bottle; an air vent tube situated in said member; a tapered orifice piece removably affixed to the lower end of said member to control the flow of the fluid being sampled into said bottle; and an orifice member removably aflixed to said vent pipe outlet to regulate the rate at which air is displaced from said sample bottle during the sampling operation.

2. In a sampling device which includes: a

I frame, a cradle pivotally supported in said frame and adapted to support a sample bottle within its confines, a rod supported for longitudinal movement on said frame, and means to maintain said rod in a first position until said rod is subjected to a sudden impulse, the combination of a tubular member positioned in the neck of said sample bottle; an air vent tube situated in said tubular member; a tapered orifice piece removably affixed to the lower end of said tubular member to control the flow of fluid being sampled into said bottle; an orifice member removably afiixed to the outlet of said vent tube toregulate the rate at which air is displaced from said sample bottle during a sampling operation; and a stopper secured upon the lower end of said rod for sealing the upper end of said tubular member when said rod is in its first position, said stopper being movable away from the upper end of said tubular member when said rod is subjected to a sudden impulse whereby the sampling operation may commence.

3. In a sampling device which includes a frame adapted to support a sampling bottle, a rod supported for longitudinal movement on said frame toward and away from the mouth of said sampling bottle, and means to maintain said rod in a first position until it is subjected to a sudden impulse, the combination of: a tubular member positioned in the neck of said sample bottle; an air vent tube situated in said tubular member; a tapered orifice piece removably aflixed to the lower end of said tubular member to control the flow of fluid being sampled into said bottle; an orifice member removably aflixed to the outlet of said vent tube to regulate the rate at which air is displaced from said sample bottle during a sampling operation; and a stopper secured upon the lower end of said rod for sealing the upper end of said tubular member when said rod is in its first position, said stopper being movable away from the upper end of said tubular member when said rod is subjected to a sudden impulse whereby the sampling operation may commence. Y

4. In a sampling device which includes a frame adapted to support a sampling bottle, an annular stopper formed with downwardly extending side walls, and means on said frame for selectively effecting movement of said stopper away from said bottle, the combination of: a tubular member positioned in the neck of said sample bottle; an air vent tube situated in said tubular member; a tapered orifice piece removably affixed to the lower end of said tubular member to control the flow of fluid being sampled into said sample bottle; an orifice member removablyaffixed to the outlet of said air vent tube to regulate the rate at which air is displaced from said sample bottle during a sampling operation; an upstanding sleeve formed upon the upper portion of said tubular member and adapted to coaxially receive the side walls of said stopper; and seal means interposed between said sleeve and said side Walls whereby said stopper may sealingly engage said sleeve until it is caused to move away from said bottle so as to effect commencement of the sampling operation.

5. In a sampling device which includes a frame adapted to support a sampling bottle, an annular stopper formed with downwardly extending side walls, and means on said frame for selectively effecting movement of said stopper away from said bottle, the combination of: a tubular element formed at its upper portion with external threads; a collar member threadedly afiixed upon the upper portion of said tubular element and securable to the top of said sample bottle; a gasket interposable between said collar member and the top of said sample bottle; an air vent tube situated in said tubular element; a tapered orifice piece removably amxed to the lower end of said tubular element to control the flow of fluid being sampled into said sample bottle; an orifice member removably affixed to the outlet of said air vent tube to regulate the rate at which air is displaced from said sample bottle during a sampling operation; an upstanding sleeve formed upon the upper portion of said collar member and adapted to coaxially receive the side walls of said stopper; and an O-ring interposed between said sleeve and said side walls whereby said stopper may sealingly engage said sleeve until it is caused to move away from said sample bottle so as to efiect commencement of the sampling operation.

6. A sampling device which includes: a frame;

right fixed position within said frame; a stopper adapted to seal the mouth of a bottle positioned in saidsupporting means; a member movably mounted on said frame and supporting said stopper on one end thereof; a tubular member removably disposed in the neck of said bottle; orifice means formed within said tubular member for controlling the rate of flow of thefiuid being sampled into said bottle; air vent means formed within said tubular member above said orifice means for regulatingthe rate at which air is discharged from said bottle during the sampling operation; and means to hold said member and stopper in a bottle sealing position until said sampling operation is to commence.

Z. A sampling device which includes: a frame;

.a cradle movably mounted in said frame, said cradle removably supporting a sample bottle in asses at which air is discharged from said bottle dur-' ing the sampling operation as well. as the quantity of sampled fluid that can enter said bottle; and means to hold said member and stopper in a predetermined position wherein said stopper seals the entrance tosaid tubular memberuntil said sampling operation is to'commence.

8. A sampling device which includes: a substantially vertical frame; a cradle pivotally supported in said frame for rotary movement along a fixed path, said cradle supporting a sample bottle in a fixed position within the confines thereof; means to removably lock said cradle'in a fixed upright position relative to said frame; a tubular member movably disposed in the neck of said bottle; a stopper for sealing the entrance of said tubular member; means inserted in the lower portion of said tubularmember for controlling the rate at which the fluid being sampled can enter said bottle and the amount of fluid which can so enter; and means mounted by said frame and affixed to said stopper that maintains said stopper in a sealing position relative to the entrance of said tubular member until said means is subjected to a sudden impulse.

9. A sampling device which includes: a frame formed from a plurality of parallel laterally spaced upright members that are held in position by a ring affixed thereto; a cradle removably supporting a sample bottle in a fixed position therein; means to pivotally support said cradle in a frame; a tubular member removably disposed in the neck portion of said bottle; means formed in the lower portion of said tubular member for controlling the rate at which the fluid being sampled can enter said bottle; a stopper for sealing said tubular member; a longitudinally movable member mounted on said frame and supporting said stopper on one end thereof; and means to maintain said stopper and member in a sealing position relative to said tubular member until said member is subjected to a sudden impulse.

10. A sampling device which includes: a frame formed from a plurality of parallel laterally spaced upright members that are held in position by a ring affixed thereto; a cradle removably supporting a sample bottle in a fixed position therein; means to pivotally support said cradle in a frame; a tubular member removably disposed in the neck portion of said bottle; means formed in the lower portion of said tubular member for controlling the rate at which the fluid being sampled can enter said bottle; a stopper for sealing said tubular member; a longitudinally movable member mounted on said frame and supporting said stopper on one end thereof; and means to maintain said stopper and member in a sealing position relative to said tubular member until said member is subjected to a sudden impulse.

11. A sampling device which includes: a frame; a cradle supporting a sample bottle within the confines thereof; spring'means positioned in said 10 cradle and on which the bottom of said bottle rests; a clamp for removably holding said bottle in a fixed position within said cradle when said bottle is moved downwardly to compress said spring means; a tubular member removably supported on the-neck portion of said bottle; orifice means formed in the lower portion of said tubular member for controlling the rate at which the fluid being sampled can enter said bottle; an air vent tube formed in said tubular member above said orifice means for regulating the quantity of the sampled fluid that can enter said bottle; a stopper adapted to seal the entrance into said tubular member; a longitudinally movable rod supported from said frame and having said stopper mounted on one end thereof; and means to maintain said rod and stopper in a predetermined position where said stopper seals said tubular member until said rod is selectively moved longitudinally away from said bottle.

12. A sampling device which includes: a frame; a cradle pivotally supported in said frame, said cradle removably supporting a sample bottle in a fixed position within the confines thereof; a cap-like stopper; a tubular member removably mounted on the mouth portion of said bottle; orifice means formed in the lower portion of said tubular member for regulating the rate at which the fluid being sampled can flow into saidbottle; a resilient member mounted in said stopper for effecting a fluid-tight seal with the entrance to said tubular member when said stopper is brought into contact therewith; a rod slidably supported for longitudinal movement in said frame and having said stopper mounted on the lower end thereof; and means to maintain said stopper and rod in a sealing position relative to said entrance until said rod is subjected to a sudden impulse.

13. A sampling device which includes: a frame; a cradle ivotally supported in said frame, with said cradle removably supporting a sample bottle in a fixed position within the confines thereof; a cylindrical guide mounted on said frame with said guide having a longitudinally and a transversely positioned bore formed therein; a rod slidably mounted in said longitudinally extending bore, said rod having a circumferentially extending groove formed therein; a tubular member removably mounted in the mouth of said bottle; orifice means formed in the lower portion of said tubular member for controlling the rate at which the sampled fluid can enter said bottle; air vent means formed within the confines of said tubular member for regulating the quantity of sampled fluid that can enter said bottle; a stopper for sealing said bottle on the lower end of said rod; a spring mounted in said transversely positioned bore; means to hold said spring in said bore; and

a ball mounted in said transversely positioned bore that is at all times urged into contact with said rod, said ball when engaging said groove holding said rod and stopper in a position to seal said bottle until said rod is subjected to a sudden impulse.

14. A sampling device which includes: a frame; a cradle supporting a sample bottle within the confines thereof; means that movably support said cradle in said frame; spring means positioned in said cradle and on which the bottom of said bottle rests; a pivotally supported clamp that removably engages said bottle to hold it in a fixed position in said cradle when said bottle is pressed downwardly to compress said spring means; a tubular member removably positiond in the l l a, mouth of said bottle; orifice means located within the confines of the lower portion of tubular member for controlling the rate at which the sampled fluid can flow into said bottle; air vent means located within and extending parallel to the axis of said tubular member for regulating the rate at which air is discharged during the sampling operation as well as the quantity of sampled fluid that can enter said bottle; a cap-like stopper; a resilient member mounted in said stopper and capable of efiecting a seal with said bottle when said stopper is brought into contact therewith; a rod that is slidably supported for longitudinal movement in said frame and has said stopper mounted on the lower end thereof; and means to maintain said stopper and rod in a bottle sealing position until said rod is moved longitudinally away from said bottle whereby the sampling operation may commence.

15. In a fluid sampling device which includes a bottle, the combination of: a tubular member; a collar attached to said member for supporting said member in the mouth of said bottle; flange means mounted on said collar to engage the mouth of said bottle; gasket means interposed between said flange means and the mouth of said bottle; air vent means formed within said member for permitting air to escape from said bottle during the sampling operation and for limiting the quantity of sampled fluid that can enter said bottle; and orifice means formed within said tubular member below said air vent means for controlling the rate at which the sampled fluid can enter said bottle.

' bottle; flange means mounted on said collar to engage the mouth of said bottle; seal means interposed between said flange means and the mouth of said bottle; an air vent tube extending upwardly through said member for permitting air to escape from said bottle during the sampling operation and for stopping the flow of sampled fluid into said bottle when the entrance to said vent tube is obstructed by the liquid level of the sampled fluid; and orifice means located within the lower portion of said tubular member for controlling the rate of flow of the sampled fluid into said bottle,

EDWARD R. HARRlNGTON.

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